Looking to upgrade your home's flooring? Whether you're remodelling or just refreshing your space, there are many options to choose from. Wood, engineered flooring materials, vinyl, tile, and carpet are all popular choices. Different types of flooring are suited to other kinds of spaces, and choosing the best option for your home depends on things like budget, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

If you are searching for some inspiration for your next flooring project, look at these top selections for yourself. Stories Flooring has a wide range of beautiful, durable flooring options that will complement any home or office environment. Read on to discover the many benefits of each type of flooring and find out which one is best for you!

 

Tile Flooring

Ceramics and porcelain are the most common choices for tile floorings. Softer and cheaper than other materials, ceramic is usually created by combining water and sand. Porcelain is harder and less porous than other ceramics because it is crafted from finer, denser clay and burned at a higher temperature.

Perks:

• Water-proof
• Low-maintenance
• Resilient against dents and scratches

Downsides:

• Difficult installation
• Expensive
• Slippery

 

Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is milled from a single piece of timber and made entirely of wood. Maple, oak, walnut, and cherry are some of the most widely used hardwoods. Many people look for it when shopping for carpeting because of its high quality and adaptability.

Perks:

• Durable
• Easy to Clean
• Scratches can be sanded out

Downsides:

• Expensive
• Easily damaged by humidity

 

Laminate Flooring

Another manufactured product is laminate, which, rather than having a veneer of wood on top, uses a photo of wood (or stone or any other substance) and then adds a plastic covering for protection. Laminate can be used for almost any surface. Typically, thick fiberboard is used as the base for laminate flooring installation.

Perks:

• Resistant to scratches and dents
• Less Pricey
• Multiple styles and colours are available
• DIY-friendly

Downsides:

• Chips easily
• Cannot be refinished (not for lifelong use)
• Less sustainable choice

 

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is highly water resistant and will not be damaged if water is allowed to pool on it for long periods. A luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is more costly than cheaper peel-and-stick tiles. It has several layers, including an image layer with a high-resolution printed picture, a durable top layer, and several cushion layers.

Perks:

• Water-proof
• Fade-resistant
• Very affordable
• Easy installation

Downsides:

• More expensive than laminate
• Complete replacement if it starts to wear out

 

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring can give your home a natural wood appearance without the hefty price tag of actual wood. A premium plywood subfloor is covered with a thin coating of oak veneer. It can last as long as solid oak if adequately maintained. You can save money on construction expenses by installing engineered wood flooring yourself.

Perks:

• Multiple installation options
• More affordable than hardwood flooring
• Can withstand weather changes
• Hard to distinguish apart from natural wood flooring

Downsides:

• Not fade-resistant
• Lots of Maintenance
• Potentially Weak

 

Stone Flooring

Granite, marble, and sandstone are some of the most sought-after materials for interior and outdoor flooring. Stone is exceptionally long-lasting and water-proof, just like ceramic and porcelain. The level of upkeep required of a stone floor depends on its polish. Stone flooring, however, has an inherent elegance and durability that any other material can't match.

Perks:

• Uniqueness
• Durable material
• Water-proof

Downsides:

• Requires professional installation
• Expensive
• It needs sealing to resist stains

 

Concrete Flooring

High-end builders and designers have used this simple construction substance as a stylish option for floors and kitchen countertops. A poured-in-place concrete floor can be left in its natural grey tone or dyed to a custom colour. Surface techniques such as acid stains or rubber-stamp stencils can be applied to further personalise the finished product.

Perks:

• Easy to maintain
• Can withstand wear out
• Resistant to fire, water, and odours
• Long life-span

Downsides:

• Needs professional installation
• Pricey
• Must be resealed every year to avoid stain

 

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is a grass, making it one of the world's fastest-growing plants, additionally, among the finest flooring options. As a natural material, bamboo flooring has many advantages. Even though it's grass, the strands of the hemp plant can be conditioned to be as strong as many types of steel. It's a green option that looks and feels just like wooden floors but doesn't require as much timber processing. Although most makers sell their products already finished, some offer unfinished boards.

Perks:

• Environmentally friendly
• Sustainable
• Durability
• DIY-Friendly

Downsides:

• Cheap bamboo is susceptible to dents and scratches
• Colour will fade
• Vulnerable to water damage

 

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring, like bamboo, is produced from the bark of cork trees, making it a renewable resource—an all-natural product with superior fireproofing and soundproofing properties. The category has an extensive range in quality, so it is best to purchase it from an expert flooring dealer who can help guide you to a top-performing line.

Perks:

• Most comfortable flooring materials
• Water-proof
• Fire-resistant
• Aesthetically versatiley

Downsides:

• Prone to fading
• It can leave permanent dents
• Vulnerable to damage

 

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum, a flooring material derived from linseed oil and cork, is long-lasting and gentle on the environment. Linoleum carpeting is low-priced and easy to set up. The floor covering is available in sheets of various hues and designs. It's durable (fabricated from stretchy ingredients) and will serve you well for many years. Manufacturers of linoleum flooring are responding to the demand for trendy looks by releasing a wider variety of hues and patterns.

Perks:

• Lower price
• Less maintenance
• More styles and colours
• Eco-friendly

Downsides:

• Easily dented
• Not as durable as vinyl flooring
• May darken or turn yellowish

 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right flooring for your house involves more than just picking the one that looks the best or the cheapest. Various factors, including moisture, durability, simplicity of maintenance, and cost, heavily influence the choice. The right flooring can make your home more beautiful and functional, while the wrong one may cost you more than it's worth. To choose wisely, consider all of the options available and think about what type of lifestyle you want for your family. If there's one thing to remember, it's this: Don't skimp on your floors!